The future of the 300-year-old Royal Gunpowder Mills in Waltham Abbey has been thrown into doubt after rumours of its impending closure.

Reports on social media this week have claimed the popular attraction, in Beaulieu Drive, is to be sold to children's holiday activity group PGL at the end of next year.

An email sent to the Guardian said: "I have heard that at the end of the 2015 season the mills will close for good and be sold to PGL, the group that runs the children's holiday sites.

"I can’t believe this is allowed to happen to a listed site such as this, this is a fantastic site and great for the locality."

Another said: "This is terrible news, this is a museum of national importance in my opinion. Can someone get up a petition, I would definitely sign it."

Bosses from the Gunpowder Mills admitted talks had taken place over the future of the site, but insisted there weere no plans in place for closure as yet.

Chief executive Andrew Coastes said discussions had been held with potential partners due to the increasing challenges to ensure preservation of important buildings and scheduled sites.

He said: "We can confirm that discussions are taking place with potential partners to look at options to maximise the use of the location and to ensure a viable and sustainable future.

"There are no immediate plans for closure or for job losses.

"The prospects are exciting but there is a long way to go and any proposals would be subject to consultation, funding and the requirement to obtain statutory consents."

A Spokesman for PGL said: "Nothing has been confirmed in relation to the location of our new site.

"We have been looking at quite a few locations however we cannot yet confirm where these are."